Malin Akerman of Couples Retreat

Couples Retreat star Malin Akerman shares her playlist with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino in this exclusive feature…

A Taste:

Led Zeppelin, Kings of Leon, Metallica

“I play kazoo! It’s a really great rock instrument,” laughs Malin Akerman.

Malin has quite the musical sensibility, and it’s one of the reasons that she steals the show more than a few times in Couples Retreat. Her sense of rhythm makes for some impeccable comedic moments. That style probably has something to do with her other gig, fronting The Petalstones. Despite a deep love for music, she doesn’t always have her iPod blaring on set though.

“I don’t really listen to music to get into character,” she continues. “The only time I did was during Watchmen before fight scenes. All I listened to was heavy metal like Primus and the hardest stuff you can think of.”

Typically, Malin dabbles in almost every genre though. She shared her playlist with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino in this exclusive feature. Check it out below and don’t miss her in Couples Retreat in theaters everywhere now!
Read more »

Johann Urb

The Eastwick and 2012 star gives ARTISTdirect.com editor Rick Florino an in-depth tour of his iPod…

A Taste:

Metallica, Korn, Alice In Chains, Krishna Das

Johann Urb just wants to rock!

The Eastwick and 2012 star has his fair share of heavy metal on his playlist, and it’s been quite a big part of his life since growing up in Finland. There’s something about hard rock that’s always spoken to Johann, and he talked to ARTISTdirect.com editor Rick Florino about its importance in this exclusive playlist feature.

Check out Johann’s playlist below and don’t miss him on Eastwick on ABC every Wednesday at 10pm!

Johann Urb’s Playlist:

1. Metallica

Growing up in Finland, it was always dark and cold so heavy music spoke to me as a teenager. I still listen to Metallica—they’re possibly my favorite band of all time. They’re fucking brilliant. I love Death Magnetic. I always felt like, even in the early days, they spoke about important issues. For me, nature and taking care of this planet are crucial so we don’t destroy it. In “Blackened,” James Hetfield touches on that lyrically. Even though they’re a metal band, they talk about how fucked up the government is and they address real issues. When they played Russia for the first time, it was incredible. They were connected to it because they were writing about the man. They’re a metal band with a message and deeper meaning. I love that, and it always moves me and rocks me out! As a kid, I would bang my head to the point of neck injury, and there’s no better band to do that to than Metallica. I still listen to them when I want to get fired up, work out or punch somebody—or get sentimental and howl at the moon.
Read more »

Papa Roach

Jacoby Shaddix opens up his iTunes and gives ARTISTdirect.com a lesson in punk rock in this exclusive feature

A Taste:

Gallows, Thrice, The Beatsteaks, Metallica

Papa Roach are out on the road slaying stages across the U.S. per usual.

Their most recent offering, Metamorphosis, is one of the year’s most raucous rock n’ roll records. The band stripped down their sound to the raw necessities—cranked up distortion and passionate, powerful vocals. Singer Jacoby Shaddix spends a lot of time listening to music in order to get psyched up. He shared his playlist with ARTISTdirect.com in this exclusive feature.

Check out Jacoby’s playlist below and catch the band on the road now!

Jacoby Shaddix’s Playlist:

1. Thrice — Beggars

I just bought it on iTunes, and it’s a fucking stellar record. It’s really cool to see how that band has evolved.

2. Gallows — Grey Britain

I’m really digging Gallows’ new album, Grey Britain. Gallows totally caught me by surprise. This record is a good blend of metal, punk rock and “Fuck you!” They’re definitely a UK revolutionary punk rock band.
Read more »

Mudvayne

Mudvayne singer Chad Gray puts down the hammer and opens up his iTunes for us in this exclusive playlist feature for ARTISTdirect.com

A Taste:

Clutch, Mastodon, Metallica, Eagles of Death Metal

So what was Mudvayne main man Chad Gray doing before he left for the Pedal to the Metal Tour?

“I was working on my house and then we had to go,” laughs Chad. “I go back to that handyman root that I have—working on the floors, painting, drywalling and stuff like that. In situations such as those, I turn on the radio, find the rock station and jam out.”

Chad’s home improvement got slightly interrupted by his band’s current tour schedule, but you can catch Mudvayne destroying arenas all summer with Black Label Society. In order to keep that energy on the road, Chad cranks a lot of his favorite hard rock and metal bands. He shared his playlist with ARTISTdirect.com in this exclusive feature.

Check out Chad’s playlist below and catch Mudvayne on tour now!

Chad Gray’s Playlist:

1. Clutch — Blast Tyrant

I’ve been listening to a lot of Clutch, man. I’ve been listening to Blast Tyrant over and over for like a year. All of my favorite Clutch tunes are on Blast Tyrant. That record fucking touched me. Neil’s such a fucking badass.
Read more »

Karey Kirkpatrick

Imagine That director Karey Kirkpatrick opens up his iTunes for us in this exclusive feature

A Taste:

James Taylor, Stephen Sondheim, Metallica, John Lennon & Paul McCartney

“Nothing hits me harder than a great song,” says Imagine That director Karey Kirkpatrick.

Watching Imagine That, with its eclectic sonic backdrop, that’s definitely apparent.

Karey’s a genuine music fan, and his love for music comes through in the film’s rhythmic sensibility. In fact, Imagine That is just chock full of great tunes!

About his personal playlist, Karey explains, “Nothing can take me back to a particular time or place like a song can. It’s hard to pick just a few because there are so many I love. For my playlist, I’ve gone with ones that have inspired or impacted my life in one way or another. I’m sure I’ll read this list next week and hate it—or want to change it. But here goes.”

Karey shared his playlist with us in this exclusive feature. Check it out below and be sure to catch Imagine That in theaters this Friday, June 12.

Karey Kirkpatrick’s Playlist:

1. John Lennon & Paul McCartney — “Yesterday”
Read more »

Gallows

Steph Carter of Gallows opens up his blood-smeared playlist and gives us a taste of what rocks his world

A Taste:

Beethoven, Bach, Metallica

Gallows guitarist Steph Carter, who is the brother of vocalist Frank Carter, may storm the stage and proceed to play some of the most pissed-off, venom n’ vingar soaked music to blow out of England since 1977. But offstage, it’s an entirely different story. Carter, who also plays piano, is an avid classical music fan.

In typical Gallows, “I don’t give a fuck” fashion, Carter isn’t apologizing for what he likes. Instead, he’s celebrating it. He doesn’t care what you think of his musical tastes or his band. And isn’t that the entire spirit of punk rock in the first place? To be free to do what you want, when you want and how you want? The band’s major label debut, Grey Britain, is in stores now and it’s an anarchic chunk o’ punk. It’s not shocking that Carter listens to much more mellow music in his personal life since he’s surrounding by skull-splitting tunes in his band. Without further adieu, here’s what Carter listens to when he wants to come down off a Gallows high.

Steph Carter’s Playlist:

1. Beethoven

2. Bach
Read more »